Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

Zatkoff was part of the nation’s top goaltending tandem from Miami (OH) his rookie year. He helped lead the RedHawks to their first CCHA regular season championship title since 1992. The Chesterfield, MI native posted a 14-5-1 record that included three shutouts in 20 appearances this season. Most recently, Zatkoff was named Miami’s Rookie of the Year.

2006-07: The platoon in net of Zatkoff and Charlie Effinger ended in 2006 when Zatkoff secured the full-time starting job for Miami (OH). Zatkoff appeared 26 games, posting a 14-8-3 record, 2.26 goals-against average and a save percentage of .919. Zatkoff also was named to Team USA for the U20 World Juniors Championship, but his play was less than stellar with a 3.46 goals-against average and a .833 save percentage. His play at the WJC did not deter him as he returned to Miami (OH) and promptly regained his starting position in net and led his team back to the NCAA hockey tournament.

2007-08: The primary cog in the Miami University engine this season was Jeff Zatkoff and his stellar play in net. Ranked as the top collegiate team for most of the season, Miami relied heavily on Zatkoff and he responded with a career high in starts and career bests in goals-against average and save percentage. Zatkoff left college early and signed an entry level contract with Los Angeles during the offseason.
2008-09: Spending the majority of his season with Ontario of the ECHL, Zatkoff enjoyed an impressive first season of professional hockey with a .915 save percentage. Zatkoff spent some time in the AHL and more than held his own in three brief starts.

2009-10: In 22 starts with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL, Zatkoff posted a 10-9 record, a 2.92 GAA, 2 shutouts, and a .915 save percentage.

2010-11: Zatkoff shared the goaltending chores for AHL Manchester with rookie Martin Jones in his third pro season. He finished with a record of 20-22 with five of his losses coming in overtime and had three shutouts. Although he slumped a bit over one mid-season stretch, he finished with a 2.68 GAA and .911 save percentage as the Monarchs finished second in the Atlantic Division. Zatkoff started four games in Manchester's seven-game playoff series with eventual Calder Cup champion Binghamton and was 1-3 with a 3.80 GAA and .891 save percentage. The Kings re-signed Zatkoff to a one-year contract in July 2011.

Talent Analysis

Zatkoff is a goaltender with size that is extremely poised, confident and mature. What sets Zatkoff apart from many other big goaltenders is his tremendous athleticism. He possesses great reflexes and is good in his lateral movements. Zatkoff is also a fierce competitor and does an excellent job of staying square to shooters. While Zatkoff does a good job of steering pucks away from the crease, his puck handling, particularly in controlling rebounds is an area that should improve with continued growth and development.

Future

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Photo: Manchester Monarchs forward and Los Angeles Kings prospect Brian O’Neill is currently second in scoring in the AHL with 44 points in 39 games (courtesy of Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

As teams hit the stretch run of the 2014-15 season, several first place battles in divisions across the Eastern Conference are heating up. This AHL Notebook takes a look at those races, plus a quick glance at the top Eastern performers in this week’s AHL All-Star event. Read more»

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Photo: Springfield Falcons goaltender Anton Forsberg received his first call-up to the parent Columbus Blue Jackets, a stint that included his first two NHL appearances (courtesy of Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

Now that the 2014-15 AHL regular season is in full-swing, it’s a good time to check in on how those in the league’s Eastern Conference are responding to fast/slow starts. Solid goaltending is more prevalent in this month’s update than in November’s Notebook, but there was also some serious offensive numbers being put up by some talented defensemen. Read more»